All employment groups registered improvement compared with both the previous year and the previous month.

Train crew employment—transportation (train and engine)—maintained its lead. The total reached 64,612 in March, 3.17% higher than in March 2011 and up 0.31% over February 2012.

The two other big employment groups also posted solid gains. Maintenance-of-way and structures employment reached 36,135 in March, up 3.25% from March 2011 and 09.45% compared with February 2012.Employment in maintenance of equipment and stores rose to 29,736 this March, up 3.31% from last March and 0.46% from February 2012.

The biggest year-over-year percentage increase was among executives, officials, and staff assistants, whose numbers increased 4.04% to 9,556.